Track spike-puller.



V. B. HODGES.

TRACK SPIKE FULLER. APPLlcATloN FILED MAR.23.1918.

L29-,76 l Patented Dec. 31, 1918.

VIRGEL BENTON HODGES, OF HENRYETTA, OKLAHOMA.'

TRACK SPIKE-FULLER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

- Patented nee. ai, reis.

implication fue@ Marcil 23, 191s. serial No. 224,105.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, VIRGEL BENTON Honcns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Henryetta, in the county of Okmulgee and State of Oklahoma, have invented new and useful Improvements in Track Spike- Pullers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to track spike pullers and it consists in the novel features hereinafter described and claimed.

An object of the invention is to provide a track spike puller of simple and durable structure which may be eiiciently used for extracting spikes from railroad ties without bending the spikes therefore making it possible to re-use the spikes without the additional expense of straightening or re-forminfr.

tAnother object of the invention is to provide in a structure of the character stated, means for `fixing a pivoted element or jaw with relation to the handle thereof the said element or jaw being provided with a cutting edge and when the same is fixed with relation to lthe handle the tool may be used as a mattock for general use about a rail-road track or road bed.

With these objects in view the implement includes a handle having a "curved jaw fixed thereto and located at one end. The handle is provided at its opposite end with an angularly disposed extremity which may be used as a crow bar or tamp for forcing the ballast under the track rails and ties of a railway track. A curved jaw is pivotally attached to the handle and adapted to cooperate with the lfirst mentioned jaw when the implement is used as a spike puller. The curved jaw is provided with a curved shank provided at its end portion with a laterally disposed extremity having a cutting edge. Means are provided for fixing the pivoted jaw with relation to the handle whereby the extremity of the pivoted jaw which is provided with the cutting edge may be used as a mattock as hereinbefore indicated.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure l is a side elevation of the track spike puller.

Fig. 2 lis an edge view of the same.

The track spike puller comprises a handle l which is preferably of metal and which is provided at one end with an angularly disposed extremity 2 having a sharpened end whereby the said extremity may be used as a pry, a crowbar or tamp for forcing ballast in position under a railway tie or track rail.

The handle l is further provided with a curved jaw 3 which is adapted to engage against the side of a railway spike when the implement is used as a spike puller. A curved jaw 4 is pivoted to the side of the handle l above the curved jaw 3 thereof and the said pivoted jaw is adapted to copera-te with the fixed jaw when the implement is used as a spike' puller. The pivoted jaw 4 is provided with a laterally disposed"extremity 5 the said` extremity being a continuation of the shank of the said pivoted jaw. The extremity 5 is provided with a relatively sharp cutting edge 6. The jaw 4 is provided at its side and in the vicinity of the point where it is pivotally connected With the handle with a socket 7.

A resilient member 8 is pivotally attached to the side of the handle l above the pivoted jaw and the said member is provided at its free end with a laterally disposed extremity 9 which is adapted to be moved into engagement with the walls of the socket 7 whereby the jaw 4 may be secured at a xed position with relation to the handle 1. The handle l is provided at its side with a socket 10 adapted to receive the extremity 9 of the member 8 when the said member 8 is disconnected from the pivoted jaw therefore when the member is not in use as a means for fixing the 4pivoted jaw with relation to the handle it may be secured along the side of the handle and restrained against swinging movement with relation thereto by permitting the extremity 9 to engage the walls of the socket 10.l

In use and when the implement is employed for extracting a spike from a tie the extremity 5 of the pivoted jaw 4 is placed upon the flange of the track rail and the spike is received between the edges of the fixed and pivotedljaws. Then by swinging the handle 1 in a usual manner the extremity 5 serves as a fulcrum whereby the spike is withdrawn from the tie without bending or distorting the same.

From the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing it will be seen that a spike puller of simple and durable structure is provided and that the parts are susceptible of adjustment and arrangement whereby the implement may be quickly a spike into' a mattocl'; for general use about a track or road bed.

g Having described the invention- What is claimed is: Y

An implement of the oharaeter stated com handle provided with a fixed jaw; an ogee shaped jawl pivotally attached to prising a the handle and provided. with afshajk hawv ing a laterally disposed curved extremity, .the arcuate curvature. Aof one end portion of the pivoted jaw being greater than a semi- V Copies of this patent may he obtained. for

Voire-ley the'partsheingso Yarranged that a line extending longitudinally of the handle and passing vthrough the axis of the pivot the halfldleand adapted to swing `into engagement with the pivoted jawV 'and-iix the same with relation to th'e handle. f

In testimony whereof I afiX .my signature. VIRGELBEN'TONHODGES.

ve cents each, by addressingy the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.A Y Y e Y' v 

